Expert information system and method for decision record generation

ABSTRACT

An expert information system with which a decision maker in the construction, or a related industry, can generate a decision record and related control instructions in a facile manner without significant omissions while ensuring that substantially all of the options available for making the decisions have been considered. The expert system includes a microcomputer which executes a system control program to select information units from the expertise of a data base and to concentrate individual information units until an entire decision record has been generated. The process is enhanced by a multiwindowed display which displays possible selections from the expert data base while contrasting that data with data in another window having a list of data indicating the decisions or selections already made. A display pointer with a controllable position is employed to select lines and phrases of the expert information from that portion of the data base displayed in the selection window. The selection of such informaiton causes the line or phrase from the data base, an information unit, to be transferred to the decision record and to the display of the selected decisions window.

MICROFICHE APPENDIX

A microfiche appendix comprising one microfiche of 64 frames of softwarelisting has been deposited with the specification in compliance with 37C.F.R. §1.96(b).

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The invention pertains generally to expert information systems andmethods which assist humans in making decisions, and is moreparticularly directed to an expert information system for decisionmakers in the construction, manufacturing, or similar industries whogenerate records of their decisions. The invention also specificallyrelates to method and apparatus for assisting other decision makers whouse information from such decision records as a basis for their actions.

An architectural specification, or decision record, is a detailed set ofcorrelated data and information for the various groups of personnel whoperform construction work on a project as a result of the decisions madein the specification. These decision records are generally hand writtenby an architect or specifier, i.e., a decision maker, as a descriptionof the materials and construction techniques necessary to complete aconstruction or other project. Such specifications must be coordinatedwith others, usually on the staff of an architect, to generate multiplesets of information and coordinating directives for the various groupsof people involved in constructing a project. Such information andcoordinating directives go to contractors, suppliers, subcontractors,etc.

The handwriting of a specification, or decision record, is extremelytedious and time consuming because an architectural specification mayrun over a thousand pages for a large construction project. Further,during the planning and preparation of the construction drawings theremay be changes to the decisions made where, as a consequence of thesechanges, modifications to the construction techniques and materialdescriptions need to be distributed to all persons involved in the work.It is quite difficult to insure that all modifications to the drawingsare commensurately accounted for in the decision record and allnecessary personnel are notified appropriately when the changes arehandwritten.

Systems have been suggested which use a computer to assist in thepreparation of architectural specifications. However, none of theseprevious systems have enjoyed any wide spread commercial acceptance. Oneof the disadvantages found in many of the present computer assistedsystems is that the information from which an architecturalspecification is generated is simply a codification of the language usedin handwritten specifications which are then compiled in paragraph form.Thus, a specifier or decision maker must locate a paragraph that conveysthe exact meaning desired and then select it for inclusion in aspecification. Such systems quickly become unwieldy because of theextremely large information data base required to convey the variousnuances and different meanings required for each decision in anarchitectural specification. Further, these previous systems are noteasily adapted to incorporate new products, changes in presentconstruction techniques, or modification of the original architecturalspecifications.

Moreover, the previous computerized systems do not provide a techniquefor reminding a decision maker that significant omissions from standardpractice in a particular subject matter or category have been made.Neither can they insure that all the options which should be consideredhave been thought of by a decision maker. These systems, therefore, haveno check on whether omissions, either by not realizing a possible optionis available or by not making a decision on a option commonly used, havebeen made in the decision making process which can be detrimental to aconstruction project.

A substantial amount of the time used in decision making, particularlyfor architectural specification writing, is consumed in research. Duringthe choosing of the selected construction materials and techniques, adecision maker may have to refer to reference manuals on nationalconstruction standards, other manuals on product advertisements anddescriptions, and other materials about the selection of individual orgroups of nonproduct decisions. The previous attempts at computerizingconstruction decision making have not significantly impacted or reducedthis research time which is a major contributor to the cost anddifficultly of generating these documents.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,370,707 issued to Phillips et al. discloses a computersystem for generating architectural specifications and project controlinstructions. In general, a specifier uses brief symbolic charactersrepresentative of individual phrases from a master phrase catalog tomark decisions and phrase selections in a code on a printed order form.The information in the master phrase catalog includes constructionmaterials, techniques, titles of references, testing, and industrystandards which are correlated with instructional information and workassignments for various groups of people for a construction project. Thecode on the order form is keypunched onto paper cards and is then fedinto a computer which is programmed to prepare a listing of the codesand to prepare an architectural specification from a group ofspecification data files.

Other expert systems are being used today to assist people in makingdecisions by using relational data bases. In many of instances, thesesystems merely allow a comparison of the decision making judgement of aperson against an expert who has contributed his expertise to the database. However, expert systems have not been used effectively to ensurethat substantially all options of the decision making process have beenreviewed.

Because of the cost and time consumed in decision making for largeconstruction projects, it would be advantageous for a decision makergenerating and documenting an architectural specification to be able toquery and check his decisions against known expertise which has alreadyproven to be successful, and to have a system which allows him to reviewsubstantially all of the available options of the selection process.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention comprises an expert information system with which adecision maker in the construction or a related industry can generate adecision record and related control instructions in a facile mannerwithout significant omissions while ensuring that substantially all ofthe options available for making the decisions have been considered.

The expert information system includes a processor system which canaccess a data base which contains expert information on availabledecisions, techniques, standards, and other necessary information. Theexpert data base is structured in a predetermined manner to facilitatedecision making. The data base is a segmented series of informationunits, preferably a title, a phrase, or sentence, which completelyspecifies one decision for the type of decision record being generated.The information units are then grouped as optional selections fordifferent categories of decisions and grouped again as to subjectmatter, so that a logical tree like data structure is formed of manyoption levels. A choice at one option level produces a series of optionsat a next lower level until the desired decision can finally be reachedby selecting one of the informational units on the lowest level.

In a preferred embodiment, the processor system includes a microcomputerwhich executes a system control program to select information from theexpertise of the data base and to concatenate the individual units ofinformation selected until an entire decision record is generated. Thesystem control program further includes means for editing and storingthe selected decisions and means for providing one or more hard copiesof a decision record based on that data, such as from a printer or thelike.

The control program which selects the information from the expert database uses several visual display windows on a first display means, amonochrome monitor, to permit a real time and interactive implementationof the selection process. In one window, the system displays possibleselections from the expert data base while contrasting that data withdata in another window having a list of data indicating the decisions orselections already made. Special interactive command sequences are usedby the decision maker to control the display and scrolling of the expertdata in the selection window and the display and scrolling of data inthe selected decisions window. A display pointer with a controllableposition is employed to select lines and phrases of the expertinformation from that portion of the data base displayed in theselection window. The selection of such information causes the line orphrase from the data base, an information unit, to be transferred to thedisplay of the selected decision window. The process of selection andtransfer can be used to build a decision record of considerable lengthand complexity.

In addition, two extra auxiliary windows appear on the monochromemonitor to assist a decision maker where in one, the category of thedata in the selection window is displayed to serve as a locationindicator for the expert data base and where in the other, theidentifiers of a particular sequence from the expert data base yet to beselected are displayed. These two auxiliary windows provide an easymonitoring of the level of the selection process for the decision makerwhile the system is in operation.

The system generally is used to select one information unit or make onedecision at a time. However, another particularly useful feature allowsthe selection and appendage to the decision record of a preassembledsequence of decisions at one time. The sequence is a package ofdecisions which have been assembled for a particular option level andwhich correspond to typical choices for all lower levels of a selectionthereby completely specifying the higher level selection.

Another feature of the invention permits a decision maker to displayinformation from another relational data base linked to a particularentry of the expert data base. The display of information may be notesabout national standards, product advertisements or descriptions, orsystem assistance to aid in the decision process. This correspondingdata is displayed on a second display means, a color monitor, andassists the decision maker in making correct decisions rapidly byshowing advertisements of the products, text material, and productreference information which assists in making the decision. This portionof the system considerably decreases the amount of time that thedecision maker must spend in research because a library of informationneeded to assist in the making of his decisions is instantly keyed tothe particular decision that is before him. This feature eliminates theneed for the maintenance of large reference volumes of different productinformation and separate libraries of reference information pertainingto the selections.

The system, under regulation of the control program, also can append tothe decision record an indication of the number of times a unit ofinformation, or record, is accessed from the relational data base. Theaccess count for such informational units can be extremely useful if theinformation unit is an advertisement because it will indicate the amountof viewing audience or circulation the advertisement has received. Otheruses for the access count include being able to revise the expert database and relational data base in accordance with the access frequency ofan information unit. Those information units never accessed shouldpossibly be omitted from the relational data base and those frequentlyaccessed should possibly be added to the expert data base.

The system further provides a catalog feature to allow viewing of therelational data base through an index of the information stored. Thisfeature allows the relational data base to be uncoupled from thedecision choices so that a decision maker can browse through thereference material at any time without the necessity of making choices,in much the same manner one would use a catalog.

Another embodiment of the present invention includes a central processorsystem which is capable of communicating with a plurality of expertinformation systems, or decider systems, distributed at remote locationsas needed by the decision makers. The central processor systemcommunicates with the remote processor systems to receive the decisionrecords which have been generated by each decision maker. From thesedecision records a multiplicity of data bases are accessed in arelational manner such that each unit of the expert data basecorresponds to a corresponding item on at least one other data base.

In a preferred embodiment, the information from these relational databases are used by the staff of the decision maker, to providecoordination between the decision record and related staff andemployees. Preferably, the data is in the form of instructions to thesepersonnel concerning the manner in which they are to implement thedecisions. Such additional data about the many specific decisions willsave time during their implementation.

Other relational data bases can be used to permit the accessing ofinformation which can be used by persons peripheral to the involvedindustry in which the decisions were made. For example, information canbe generated to manufacturers, wholesalers, and others about theproducts decided upon. Further, such relational data bases could be usedto organize the work of suppliers by providing detailed information ofall the decisions made which may affect their ability to become theselected supplier.

Still other relational data bases can be accessed in a linked manner toalert other decision makers about business opportunities in theformation stage of a project. This information can be updated and cancomprise data about firms who have requested decision information andintend to submit a bid for new business. This information would identifypotential bidders for others who wish to sell products to these bidders.Numerous other data bases may be accessed in this manner to produceother valuable information records concerning the decisions made.

These and other objects, features, and aspects of the invention will bebetter described and more fully understood if a reading of the followingdetailed description is undertaken in conjunction with the appendeddrawings wherein:

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a system block diagram of an expert information system fordecision record generation which is constructed in accordance with theinvention;

FIG. 2 is a detailed block diagram of a processor system and auxiliarydisplay system used by the decider system and central system illustratedin FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a pictorial diagram of a preferred implementation for theprocessor system illustrated in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a pictorial representation of the key function layout for thepreferred input device of the processor system illustrated in FIG. 2;

FIGS. 5A-5C are block diagrams illustrating the format of the expertdata base stored in the memory device illustrated in FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is a detailed block diagram of the linked portion of the database illustrated in FIGS. 5A-5C;

FIG. 6A is a pictorial representation of the format of an informationunit for the data base illustrated in FIG. 6;

FIG. 6B is a system block diagram illustrating the linkage of theinformation units of the expert data base to information units of aplurality of relational data bases through an identifier field.

FIGS. 6C, 6C', and 6C" are a pictorial representation of theConstruction Industries Association (CIA) standards for divisions;

FIG. 7 is a pictorial representation of a generalized screen display forthe monochrome monitor illustrated in FIG. 2;

FIGS. 7A-7C are pictorial representations of the screen display of themonochrome monitor for various levels in the selection process;

FIG. 8 is a system flow chart of the control software which controls theprocessor system and auxiliary display system illustrated in FIG. 2;

FIG. 9 is a pictorial representation of the main menu and associatedsoftware modules of the program block illustrated in FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a detailed flow chart of the work on project documents moduleillustrated in FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is a detailed flow chart of the heading menu for the reviseheading function of the program illustrated in FIG; 10;

FIG. 12 is a detailed flow chart of the opener menu for the reviseheading function illustrated in FIG. 11; and

FIG. 13 is a detailed flow chart of the closer menu for the reviseopener function illustrated in FIG. 12.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

An expert information system for the generation of decision records 15is more fully illustrated in FIG. 1 where a block diagram discloses asystem constructed in accordance with the invention. The preferredimplementation of the invention will be discussed with reference to thegeneration of an architectural specification for the decision record.However, it will be evident that other decision records could asadvantageously be formulated for industries other than construction,such as manufacturing, education, financial, or the like. The system isapplicable to any complex, multiple decision, planning process where amultiplicity of available options must be chosen from. The differencebetween such systems in other industries will be in the expert data basethat formulates the knowledge of particular decisions for an industry.

The expert information system for generating decision records includes aplurality of decider systems 10, 12, and 14, each having acommunications device or modem 16, 18, and 20, respectively. The decidersystems are specialized data processing systems which can be remotelylocated from a central system 26. Such remote locations for the decidersystems 10, 12, and 14 are chosen so that they provide convenient accessfor a plurality of decision makers. A common location would be theoffice of an architect, contractor, subcontractor, etc. The centralsystem 26 is a specialized data processing system which can beconveniently located at any physical location because of its connectionto the decider systems 10, 12, and 14 via a communications device ormodem 24 through a communications network 22. Preferably, the centralsystem 26 will be located such that the modem 24 can be connectedconveniently to a suitable communications network 22, such as atelephone communications switch, and such that the central system 26 canprovide information records 27 to a number of other decision makers orusers 28' who base their decisions on information generated from thedecision records 15.

The information records 27 may be supplied to these information users28' via the communications network 22 or alternatively through othercommunication channels 31, for example, delivery by mail, courier, orthe like. In addition, other information records 27 may be returned viathe communication network 22 to each of the decider systems 10, 12, and14 or via an alternative link 31 which may be used to provide certaininformation records 27 to the decider systems 10, 12, and 14.

Each decider system 10, 12, and 14 allows a decision maker to assemble adecision record 15 from an expert data base much easier and faster thanhas been previously possible. When the expert system is used to generatean architectural specification, the decision record 15 includesspecifications on products and materials, and specific instructions onconstruction or manufacturing techniques. The decision records 15 arepassed to the central system 26 where relational data bases 29 areaccessed based on the selections made in a decision record to assemblethe information records 27. The assemblage of the information records 27is facilitated by using the relational data bases 29 where the entriesor selections of the decision records 15 coincide or correspond toparticular entries in the relational data bases. As a specific example,a decision concerning the use of a particular product or technique by adecision maker in the decision record will cause data corresponding tothat product or technique to be accessed in the relational data bases29.

The output from the relational data bases 29 are for those personnel whoare associated with a decision maker or have an interest in the decisionprocess. In general, these people can include persons on the staff ofthe decision maker. Others interested in the decision record include themanufacturers of a product selected, wholesalers, subcontractors whodesire to obtain work based on a decision, regulatory agencies, planningagencies, etc. Such a system provides all those persons desiring orneeding information about a specific decision with that information asit is selected by the decision maker.

In one preferred embodiment, an information record from the relationaldata bases 29 is used by the staff of a decision maker for coordinationbetween them and the decision maker. Preferably, the data is in the formof instructions 17 to these personnel on the manner in which they are toimplement the selected decisions. Such instructional data about many ofthe specific considerations of the decisions will save time and willprevent errors and omissions in the work and documents made by thestaff.

A preferred embodiment for implementing a processor system 37 for eachdecider system 10, 12, and 14 is illustrated in FIG. 2. Theimplementation includes a microcomputer or processor 28 connected bymeans of data, address, and control busses 40 to a group of peripheraldevices which assist in preparing the decision record. A floppy diskdrive 33 is used for booting a loading program that allows the maincontrol software to be run by the processor 28 and for storing thedecision record 15. The main control software and the expert data baseare relatively extensive in length, and, thus, are stored on a memorydevice, a compact disk read only memory (CD ROM) player 34. The CD ROMdisc in player 34 provides a memory means which stores large amounts ofdata which can be quickly and easily accessed.

The control software is interactive and provides prompts andcommunications to the decision maker by a display means or monochromemonitor 32. The decision maker can respond to the communications byentering commands, decision selections, data, and requests on an inputdevice, preferably a keyboard 36. Optionally, a hard copy of the resultsof the decision record 15 in various formats provided by the controlprogram can be output by an output device such as printer 30. When adecision record 15 has been assembled by the processor 28, the controlprogram communicates it to the central system 26 over a data line viathe modem 16.

Further, the control program contains software which controls anauxiliary video memory means including a laser disk player 42 and asecond display means or color monitor 38. The laser disk player 42includes a memory means in the form of a video disk storing amultiplicity of video frames of visual and/or textual information. Uponcontrol signals generated by the processor 28, the video frames ofvisual or textual data can be displayed on the color monitor 38. Thedata base from which these video frames are taken is comprised ofanother relational data base storing manufacturer and productinformation, reference notes, and assistance information for thedecision maker.

In general, each decider system, for example that shown at 10, includesa processor system 37, the auxiliary memory means 41, and a modem 16.The central system 26 comprises a processor means 37 including one ormore memory devices, such as CD ROM player 34, on which to store therelational data bases 29 and the modem 24.

FIG. 3 is a pictorial illustration of a processor system 37 andauxiliary memory means 41 implemented by component equipment which iscommercially available. The processor 28 and keyboard 36 are preferablyincluded in an IBM PC-XT microcomputer system 52 having at least 640K ofRAM. Further, the microcomputer 52 is equipped with a hard disk with 10megabytes or more of storage and one 51/4 inch floppy disk drive 33.Additional options included in this system are a controller card anddevice driver software for the CD ROM player 34. An RS 232communications card is used to control the laser disk player 48. A lineprinter control board and monochrome display adaptor are included asfurther options of the microcomputer 52. The microcomputer 52 is alsoequipped with an asynchronous serial communications port compatible withRS-232-C communications protocol for the modem 16. The microcomputersystem 52 runs under a PC DOS, version 2.10 or higher, operating system.

The CD ROM player 34 is a model CDR-1502S manufactured by Hitachi ofTokyo, Japan which provides digital information to the microcomputer 52from a 522 MB compact disk 56 storing the system control software andthe expert data base. The laser disk player 42 is a model LD-V6000distributed by Pioneer Video, Inc. of Montvale, N.J. which supplies thecolor monitor 38 with video data in the form of visual and textualdisplay from a laser disk 58 which contains a relational data base ofvideo frames linked to informational units of the expert data base.

The monochrome monitor 32 is a model number 310-A manufactured by AmdekCorporation and controlled in a well known manner by the microcomputer52. The color monitor 60 is a model number CTF-1465R manufactured byPanasonic Corp. of Japan which is controlled in a well known manner bythe laser disk player 48 and which in turn is regulated by themicrocomputer 52.

The printer 30 can be any Epson compatible printer using Epson-likecommand codes connected in a conventional manner and communicating withthe microcomputer 52. Each of the modems 16 and 24 is a model numberSM-12PC manufactured by QUBIE Corporation which communicates data in aserial manner at 1200 baud over a standard telephone connection.

Referring now to FIG. 4 there is shown a implementation of the inputdevice 36 which preferably comprises a standard IBM PC-XT keyboard.Normally, such keyboards have regular alpha-numeric keys and punctuationlocated centrally at segment 100 and a number of special keys on a lefthand segment 102 of the regular keys which can be defined for specialsoftware functions. The keyboard further includes a special group ofkeys on a right hand segment 104 used for control and positioning of thedisplay of the expert data base, positioning of a display pointer onmonochrome monitor 32, and control of the video on color monitor 38.Such specially defined keys are conventional and can either be softwareimplemented or hard wired to develop particular signals. In the presentsystem such keys are mapped in the control program to definespecifically designated system functions.

Beginning with the left segment 102, a "yes" key 104 is used by thesystem to select choices. By moving the display pointer to a particularchoice on monochrome monitor 32 and by depressing the "yes" key 104, anoperator has a facile means for selecting many choices from a large database very quickly and efficiently. The procedure is to merely move thedisplay pointer to a choice on the display area and affirm the selectionwith the depression of the "yes" key 104. A "done" key 106 is used forexpressing the desire of a decision maker to end a particular functionor module, and to move from level to level. As was described previouslythe control program of the system is menu driven and once a function hasbeen completed operating the "done" key 106 will provide a means forshifting back to a main menu for selection of another operation. The"done" key in this manner is used to move between levels so that even ifthe program is nested into its lowest level, the decision maker can moveeasily to the highest program level by serially pressing the "done" keyuntil the program has determined that the entire operation is finished.

The decision maker at times needs to refer to other text or videoinformation on the color monitor 38 or wants to check other material onthe monochrome monitor 32 while in the decision making process. To savehis position in the decision process which may be nested down severallevels, a "hold" key 110 is used. By pressing the hold key 110 with onestroke a position in the decision making process of a particular projectis remembered. Thereafter, the operator may do any number of other tasksbefore coming back to the place in the decision process he left.

An "edit" key 108 is provided for placing the system into an edit modesuch that textual material of a decision record may be displayed andedited similarly to conventional word processing routines. The edit modeuses a word processing program to allow the text of decisions to bemoved, rearranged, deleted, and added as the need arises from thedecision maker. In effect, the edit mode allows the decision maker touse the system as a report generator and letter writer to furtherprocess a decision record.

Further, in the option keys 102 there is a "catalog" key 116 whichprovides the system with a catalog function. The pressing of the"catalog" key 116 will transfer the system out of whatever mode it ispresently in and into a catalog mode where an index of all themanufacturers and products stored on the video disk 56 are displayed.The operator can by moving the display pointer and browsing through thetext of the index, select one or more product frames for viewing on thecolor monitor 38. To return from the catalog mode the "done" key 102 orthe "catalog" key 116 is pressed.

If more information is desired about any product than is presentlyavailable on the video disk 56 or is in the index to the catalog, then a"more info" key 118 is pressed. The "more info" key 118 causes theprocessor 28 to alert the central system 26 that this particulardecision maker is interested in additional information relating to aparticular product. There are a number of choices to select from formore information such as technical assistance, personal contact from themanufacturer, a price quotation, or a sales call. The decision maker canrequest this assistance automatically while continuing work on theproject. The central system will append the request to a decision record15 and, by means of an information record 27, will alert a manufacturer29 of the request, what assistance is necessary, and to whom it is to bedelivered.

Further, provided in the operational segment keys are a "generic orproduct pac" key 112. "Product pacs" are a complete set ofspecifications about a product of a specific manufacturer which can beselected and completely specified with only a few decisions relating tothe options which are available with respect to choosing that product.For example, a paint product or a full elevator system of a particularmanufacturer could be specified with a few key strokes. Thedocumentation produced by the system will contain all of the necessarytechnical detail for the specification. If the package of the selecteddocumentation is not manufacturer specific, then the pac is termed a"generic pac" rather than a "product pac".

The video disk player 42 and color monitor 38 provide access to anauxiliary data base which is related or linked to a particular closer orproduct information. This linked data base is accessed by pressing the"video" key 120 located on the right segment 102 of the input device 36.In general, the "video" key will cause the display of informationcorresponding to the product or a closer pointed to by the displaypointer on the monochrome monitor 32. For example, a product such as adoor could be shown pictorially with all of its technical specificationson the color monitor 38. If the closer is a standard such as an ASTMstandard, depressing the "video" key 120 will call a condensation ofsignificant parts of the standard onto screen of the color monitor 38.In this manner, the auxiliary memory means 41 acts as a referencelibrary which is instantly linked to a particular decision at hand andsaves the operator time in locating particular reference material fromlarge data base contained in many volumes.

Further, there is a "help" key 122 which permits messages to bedisplayed on the color monitor 38 for assistance to the operator. Thepressing of the "help" key 122 will cause the display of a messageindicating the present system mode and what the operator must do to moveto another different mode or to obtain further assistance messages.

The right hand segment 104 of the keyboard 36 contains a number of keys124-140 which are used as control keys to move the display pointer,position a part of the data base displayed on the monochrome monitor 32,and control the information displayed on the color monitor 38. Keys 124,126, 136, and 138 are used as control keys for the display pointer. The"home" key 124 moves the display pointer to the top of a displayed database part, while the "end" key 136 moves the display pointer to thebottom of a displayed data base part. The display pointer can be movedup or down one line or selection at a time by pressing the "up" key 126or the "down" key 138, respectively. Further, full pages of text fordisplay can be exchanged on the display area by pressing the "page up"key 128 or the "page down" key 140. The "page up" key replaces thepresently displayed page on the monochrome monitor with the previouspage of the data base while the page down key advances the display tothe next page. Similarly, the keys 130 and 132 allow a control of thevideo information on the color monitor. "Previous frame" key 130 allowsthe video monitor to display the image of the previous frame of theauxiliary data base, while the next frame key 132 advances the imagedisplayed on the color monitor to the subsequent frame. The "video" key120 displays the first frame of a group of frames related to aparticular possible decision and the keys 130 and 132 allow the viewingof any one of the several of these frames.

The structure and format of the expert data base is illustrated in FIGS.5A, 5B, and 5C. The expert data base comprises several menus which arelinked to formatted data on the CD ROM disc 54. The expert data base isformatted in this manner to allow an operator or decision maker theability to review all relevant choices that are available, and also toorganize the data into a structure that can be easily assembled into adecision record. The data base is structured as a tree like assembly ofoption levels until a final decision can be made by a single choice atthe lowest level.

The menu portion of the expert data base is stored on the CD ROM disc 54and comprises a plurality of division menus 200, 202, and 204; aplurality of section menus 206, 208, and 210; and a plurality of partmenus 212, 214, and 226. Thus, a decision maker is given a group ofdivision choices and requested to chose one of the divisions by movingthe display pointer to point at a particular choice. This action will,when coupled with the pressing of the "yes" key, cause the selecteddivision menu, for example 200, to display a plurality of sectionlabels. The menu can then be selected from to pick a particular section,for example 210, by again moving the display pointer to where it pointsto a section name and again pressing the "yes" key. The selection of asection name will cause a part menu for that section to be displayed.The selection of a part name is again accomplished by moving the displaypointer to where it points to the particular part desired and bypressing the "yes" key.

A part menu, for example 226, illustrates a number of headings which canbe selected by moving the cursor to point to a particular one and thenby pressing the "yes" key. The headings are information entries of theactual expert data base stored on the CD ROM disc 56. The expert database is comprised of a multiplicity of headings, for example headingsA,B . . . N, as illustrated in FIG. 6 which contain blocks of statementsor choices which will be termed openers and closers. Upon the selectionof a heading, a number of openers 234, 236 and 228 associated with thatheading are selected by pointing to them with the display pointer andpressing the "yes" key to form part of the architectural specification.Linked to each opener are a plurality of choices to fulfill the openerspecified, such as closers 240, 242, and 244.

This structure of option levels allow the decision maker an advantageousstructure with which to specify an actual decision. The decision makerstarts with general options and then chooses between options which morespecifically describe the decision that is being made. Once an option ischosen, the next more specific level of choices is made available. Thisprocess continues until the decision can be completed by selecting oneinformation unit from the final level, the closer. This decision processbased on the data base structure is applicable to many expert datasystems and decision processes. The data base is a segmented series ofinformational units, preferably a title, a phrase, or sentence, whichcompletely specifies the final decision for the type of decision recordbeing generated.

FIG. 5C better illustrates the six levels of options or selections forthe data base. The division level being the highest or most general andthe closer level being the most specific and the final level. It isnoted that the catalog function 258 of the system can be entered fromany level and thus, is not linked to the data base structure. However,the reference material such as the notes on standards 260 and productreferences 262 are linked to specific information units at the closerlevel.

The system when a section is chosen loads all the informational units(headings, opens, and closers) for that particular section (FIG. 6) intothe RAM of the processor 28. This portion of the data base can then bedisplayed and manipulated by the system in making the choices for thedecision record. The processing of the informational units of a sectionis facilitated by the data format illustrated in FIG. 6A where everyinformation unit is comprised of a unique tag or ID field 201, a typefield 203, and a further specification field 205. The actual data isthat included in a data field 207. The fields of the informational unitsare useful for a number of purposes such as sorting and list processingof the data in a section. For example, to determine a list of all theheading selections for display, the system compares the type field to aheading specifier and stores a list of all the units found with thattype. This list can then be displayed for the heading option level. Inaddition, the spec field can indicate whether the unit is of a specialtype such as a product or manufacturer. Thus, all the manufacturers of aparticular heading, or all the products of a particular manufacturercould easily be sorted from the data base.

The descriptor fields most important use, however, is in the relation orlinking of one informational unit on one data base to anotherinformational unit on another data base. Because of the uniqueidentifier of each informational unit on the expert data base, links toother informational units can be made by assigning them the sameidentifier. In FIG. 6B, there is illustrated an expert data base andseveral relational data bases A, B, and C. An informational unit 209 ofthe expert data base is linked to informational units 211, 213, and 215of the respective data bases A, B, and C by using the same tag X in theidentification field X. This linkage is used to speed retrieval andprovide rapid accumulation of the related data once a decision record isgenerated. The identifier labels for informational units in a decisionrecord can be matched against one or several relational data bases andthose matching a linked information units retrieved for a report. Theidentifier field further permits the rapid retrieval of videoinformation from the auxiliary memory means 41. The video frames orinformational units are linked in the same manner where an identifierlabel on the frame is matched or linked to a decision (information unit)on the expert data system. In response to the "video" key, the systemreads the identifier label of the information unit pointed to by thedisplay pointer and retrieves the linked video frame with the same labelfor display on the second monitor.

The menu selection is used to rapidly locate the desired data on the CDROM disc 54 and the heading opener and closer structure of the data baseallows a single place for all decisions to be made for that particularheading. Because all choices are provided for the decision maker, thereis no necessity that he remember every option so that none areoverlooked. Because many times the heading of one part of a section anddivision may be similar or require similar choices as another part, theheadings, openers, and closers for a particular part are self contained.In other words, the sentences or selection choices may be repeated manytimes in the data base but are in the particular place in the optionchain where that decision will be accomplished.

There has been described in general the format and selection of theexpert data base which will now be more explained in detail as relatedto a architectural specification generation system. A division in thedata base for architectural specification generation can apply to amajor classification of work such as that done by a group of peoplehaving a related craft. For example, preferably the division menucomprises the sixteen major classifications of the Construction StandardInstitute (CSI) as reproduced in FIG. 6C and one special division. Thesection segmentation can be a specification based on a craft orcontractor such as that done by an electrical craft, plumbing orconcrete, etc. The part division of the present format divides the workthat the craft or contractor will do into three parts. In one of theparts is a definition or introduction to the particular division of thelabor which is being specified. The second portion of the part divisionare materials and use locations which indicate what materials are to beused and where are they to be used. The third portion of a part divisionis the detail for execution of the construction or the installation ofthe material chosen.

The heading specification relates to the class of materials chosen inthe second portion of the part division and can be further described bythe openers and closers. An opener, therefore, describes or is aselection of characteristics that concern or specify a particularmaterial such as strength, type, color, or all other methods forspecifying the material, as by ASTM standard or product number, etc. Theclosers are the answers to the characteristics chosen for the material.Approximately 80% of the expert data base is occupied by the choices atthe closer level.

The display of the monochrome monitor 32 is split for convenience into agroup of sections or windows as is shown in FIG. 7. The illustrationshows a header line and four windows in a preferred embodiment but thiscan be increased or decreased as the need arises. In general, there is awindow for the headings of a section being worked on, a window for theopeners of a heading being worked on, and a window for the selectionarea for closers of an opener being worked on. The fourth window isreserved for selected choices of the closers displayed in the selectionwindow.

Preferably, a selection window closest and most central to the view ofthe decision maker is used to display a plurality of choices, in thisexample a plurality of closers. It is in this area that the decisionmakers moves the display pointer to choose a particular line from thepossible choices. By then pressing the "yes" key the chosen selection ismoved from the selection window to a selected choices window. Once inthe selected choices window the choice becomes part of the decisionrecord, i.e., an architectural specification.

For long sequences of choice selections the "page up" and "page down"keys allow the decision maker to scroll through the choices with theselection window. Each page of a group of decision choices is replacedby another page upon command. An automatic scrolling of the selectedchoices window permits a view of the most recent choices which areinserted at the bottom of the window. The data from previous choices isthen scrolled off the top of the screen as additional choices are made.

Two auxiliary windows complement the two main select and selectedchoices windows. The first window displays a list of the headings chosenfor a particular section which must be filled in. The particular headingpresently being filled is highlighted such that the decision maker knowsthe information being worked on at that level.

The second window is a working list of the openers that apply to theparticular heading under consideration. This word at the opener level isadditionally highlighted similar to the opener. Thus, in this mode theselection window will contain a list of options or choices which applyto a particular opener for a particular heading. The selections are madeby moving the particular closers selected for the highlighted opener tothe selected window. When all closers for the highlighted opener havebeen chosen, the decision maker presses the "done" key and the nextopener on the list in the auxiliary window is highlighted. Thereafter,related closers are displayed in the selection window and the selectionprocess takes place as previously described.

After all the openers of a particular heading are filled in, anoperation of the "done" key will erase the particular highlightedheading that the decision maker was working on and highlight the nextheading in the list displayed in the first auxiliary window. This causesthe openers selected for that particular heading to be displayed in thesecond auxiliary window and the end opener of that list to behighlighted for work. The closers of the particular opener highlightedare then displayed in the selection window. Each heading can be filledout as previously described.

The header section of the display of monitor 32 is divided into a numberof sections which give the decision maker information on the level andstatus of the present term on the decision display. In the first part ofthe header line there is a reserved space for a description of thesystem operation the system is presently performing, such as sectionchoices. In the next portion of the header line, the project name andproject number are listed. After the project identification, theparticular section being worked on is displayed in part. A two digitsection ends the header line with the number of choices presentlyavailable for the particular level the decision maker is working at.

FIG. 7A illustrates the selection of a number of headings for a materialand use locations part for the building 10 project which has a projectno. of 1207. The section of the specification being worked on is 03300.The decision maker has chosen four headings in the selected choiceswindow. The last selection was the heading "curing compound" which thedisplay pointer is pointing to in the list of possible selections.

In FIG. 7B the decision maker has finished selecting the list ofheadings and has started to select a number of openers from the list inthe selection window 251. These openers are those options which apply tothe first highlighted heading "wire fabric reinforcement A" in the listof window 255. The process is shown at a later stage in FIG. 7C, all theopeners for each heading have been chosen and the closers for the firstheading WIRE FABRIC Reinforcement A have been chosen. The process is nowin the selection of closers for the opener "size" of the second heading"wire fabric reinforcement B". Further, it is illustrated in the figurethat there is a "generic pac" associated with the opener highlighted inwindow 257.

In FIG. 8 there is shown a system flow chart of the software whichcontrols the operation of the specification generation system. InAppendix A there are related screen representations of displays of thesystem on monitor 32. Initially, after a project disk is loaded in thedisk drive 33 and control is transferred by the operating system to thesystem program, the software in block A10 decides whether the decisionmaker is registered. This operation can consist of any number of levelsof protection including passwords and/or different priorities ofpasswords. In the present system, there will be a firm or project leaderwho has access to any data on the decider system and other decisionmakers such as architects employed by the project leader who may onlywork on and have access to specific projects. If the decision maker isnot registered, then a loop including blocks A12 and A14 are enteredsuch that the firm and its decision makers can be described on thesystem.

The firm description process can be limited to those with higherpriority passwords so that a person who can only access one project willnot be able to describe the decision makers of an entire firm. When thedescription of the group of decision makers are complete, the "done" keyis pressed and recognized in block A14 to transfer the program to blockA16. A log on procedure is then initiated in block A16 whereby after thedecision maker is registered he is required to execute a log onprocedure such that the system can identify each of its uses as to atime, and decision maker. The screen of page Al of the Appendixillustrated a group of log on choices for a firm. If the decision makerdoes not want to log onto the system, he presses the "done" key and thenegative branch of block A16 transfers control back to the operatingsystem.

Otherwise, after the log on procedure, in block A20 a main menu of ninemajor function choices is displayed on the monitor 32 for the decisionmaker. The decision maker can choose from this main menu page A2 of theAppendix and the modules associated therewith until he is finished usingthe system at which time he proceeds to press the "done" key which isdetected in block A22. Alternatively, the program loops back throughblock A22 to the main menu to display further choices when any one ofthe modules is terminated.

The system then queries the decision maker in block A24 whether hedesires to log off or return to the main menu. Depending upon the answerto this prompt, either the main menu block A20 or the log off procedurein block A26 is accomplished. The log off procedure in block A26includes a transfer of information (the decision record) to the centralsystem 26 such that it can link the transferred data with one or moreparticular relational data base 29 and send to the other associateddecision makers 28 information records 27 (FIG. 1). After the log offprocedure is completed, the program will loop back to block A16 wherethe system will request either a log on operation or a finish response.

FIG. 9 is a pictorial representation of the main menu illustrating themajor functions of the system. The first choice is to work on projectdocuments which is the primary operation used for actually assembling anarchitectural specification. The second choice, print documents onprinter, allows a hard copy output of an architectural specification ora report to be taken from the project file on the disk drive 33 andprinted according to specialized formats. The third choice, to start anew project, includes an interactive program which prompts the decisionmaker into filling in the data needed to initiate a new project on thesystem.

A fourth choice is provided which allows the decision maker to have theprocessor and control program check his work. This checking programallows a high speed data match against the expert data base. Forexample, the program will pick up discrepancies where divisions orimportant sections have been omitted and prompt the decision maker tofill these in. The decision maker always has the ability to reject thesuggestions of the system but he is still reminded of those parts of thespecification that nearly everyone includes. The check is to prevent thedecision maker from forgetting an important part of the specification,but not to require him to include it in the final printed document.

A fifth choice includes an operation that allows an architecturalspecification to be duplicated. This operation copies the projectdocuments to a new file which can then be edited or changed as the casemay be. This will allow a shell of an architectural specification thatwas generally used by a firm or in one project area to produce documentsfrom a form stored on the system. A sixth choice allows a decision makerto review particular projects in progress. The review will alert thedecision maker which divisions and sections have been completed andwhich are still necessary to be chosen. The next choice, is a method ofchanging the password for the decision maker. The password may bechanged by the project leader or that person associated with thepassword. Another choice labelled eight is an operation which allows areview of the firms project progress. A last choice on the main menu isto allow the editing or modification of the description of the decisionmaker.

The decision maker chooses one of the functional operations of thesystem to work on by moving the cursor to where it points to one of thenine choices. After selecting a particular choice, the decision makerthen presses the "yes" key to transfer control of the program from themain menu to the particular module associated with the task. ModulesA30-A46 are associated with tasks on the main menu A20 labelled 1-9,respectively. Whenever a module or task is completed, the "done" key ispressed which transfers control of the system back to the main menu.While at the main menu the depression of the "done" key will take thesystem out of the menu operation and transfer it to the log offprocedure as previously described.

A more detailed block diagram of the work on project documents module isillustrated in FIG. 10. After the decision maker has selected theoperation to work on the project documents, the system will initiate theprogram illustrated in that figure. Initially, in block A50 the programprompts the operator to select the project that he desires to work on.From that project, he will then obtain the division menu in block A52and the section menu in block A54. From these selection menus he willselect the particular section of a division of the project that hedesires to work on. Pages A3, A4 of the Appendix illustrate the choiceof the "concrete" division and "cast-in-place" section for thatdivision. Each section as previously described is divided into threeparts including (1) an introduction, (2) materials and use locations,and (3) an execution and installation information section.

The program automatically in blocks A56-A80 determines the status ofthose three parts for the particular section that the decision maker haschosen in block A54. In general, there are three status options any ofthe three parts of a section can have. A decision maker can either (1)add a part if that part has not been started previously, or he can (2)finish a part which has. Further, for any completed part he can always(3) revise that part, which may include deleting it completely. Inblocks A56-A64 the program checks on the status of the introduction partto see if an introduction is present or if the introduction was exitedby pressing the "hold" key. If the introduction is present as tested forin block A56, then the program determines whether the introduction wasexited with the "hold" key in block A58. If such is not the case, thenthe choice that the decision maker should be given for this part is to"revise the introduction" and such message is displayed on themonochrome monitor 32 via block A64. If no introduction is present, thenthe message "add introduction" is displayed to the decision maker fromblock A60 on the monitor 32. Alternatively, if the introduction ispresent and it was exited by pressing the "hold" key, then a prompt to"finish the introduction" is displayed by block A62 on monitor 32.

Tests for the presence or the hold status for the materials and uselocations part are accomplished in blocks A66 and A68. Block A72 if thematerials and use locations part is not present, causes the display of aprompt on monitor to "add materials and use locations" in block A72.Otherwise a prompt to "revise the materials and use locations" isdisplayed via block A70 on the monitor 32. If a previously recordedmaterials and use locations part was exited with a hold, then the promptto "finish the materials and use locations" is generated in block A74 onthe monitor 32. In a similar manner, the presence and hold status forthe execution and installation information is tested in block A76 andA78. Depending upon the answers to the tests, blocks A80, A82, and A84display the messages to revise, add, or finish the execution andinstallation information, respectively.

Therefore, in block A86 status information for the three parts of achosen section are displayed on the monochrome monitor 32. The decisionmaker is then prompted in block A88 to select one of the tasks dependingupon its status. Page A5 of the Appendix illustrated a section which hasa completed parts for Execution and Materials and use location, but doesnot yet have an introduction. None of the parts have been put on "hold"and the decision maker is selecting to revise the materials and uselocation.

Upon his choice of one of the three available part selections, acharacteristic number is generated from 1-9 to notify the program of hischoice. The selection process is the same as the menu selection processthat the display pointer is moved to one of the three possible choicesand the "yes" key is operated. This chooses one of the three parts witha status as determined by the previous blocks A56-A80 of the program,and further defines the characteristic number generated for a branch toa program module to handle that task.

Blocks A90-A106 decode the determination respectively. If the decisionmaker has chosen to operate on the introduction part, then, dependingupon the status of the introduction part, one of modules A108-A112 isselected. If the decision maker has selected to operate on the materialsand use locations, then, depending upon the status of that part, one ofmodules A114-A118 is called for execution. Similarly, if the decisionmaker has chosen to operate on the execution and installationinformation, then one of the modules A120-A124 is chosen correspondingto the status of that part.

When any of these functions are completed, the decision maker can returnto the main menu by successive pressings of the "done" key. The "done"key moves the system up one level for every execution. For example,after the decision maker has added an introduction in block A108,pressing the "done" key will produce a transfer of control back to blockA54 where he then has the option of either selecting another section orpressing the "done" key again to move to block A52. In block A52, thedecision maker has the option of either selecting another division orpressing the "done" key to move to block A50. In block A50 a decisioncan be made to work on another project or to press the "done" key oncemore to return to the main menu.

If the system is to add any part, then the program will go to theselection process to first select the headings for the particular partbeing worked on as discussed with respect to FIGS. 7A, 7B, and 7C. Thisis the generalized selection process and is the same for any part of anysection with only the data or option choices changed.

If the system is to finish any part, then the program will transfercontrol to the level and decision where the decision maker exited theselection process. This operation is a special function or subprogram ofthe add process and is identical to the operation described for FIGS.7A, 7B, and 7C except the starting point is different. The operationallows a decision maker to exit the process at any time without losingall the work accomplished up to a particular decision.

Otherwise, if the system is to revise any part, then a menu of optionsfor heading is shown. When at the revise heading level as shown in FIG.11, the decision maker has a number of options from a menu A130 todetermine with which function he will rise to operate on the headingsdata. The menu also shown as Page 6A of the Appendix includes sevenchoices which allows him to (1) add new headings by moving the displaypointer to that position on the screen and pressing "yes". Thisoperation calls the add headings module in block A132 which is exited bypressing the "done" key to return to the menu A130. The choice to addheadings transfers the system to the basic selection process and selectheading level. The list of previously chosen headings and their openersand closers if completed, however, remain appended to the decisionrecord. Similarly, there are included choices for (2) moving theheadings, (3) revising the headings, (4) deleting the headings, (5)alphabetizing the heading, (6) changing the names, or (7) resequencingthe headings. These menu choices cause the selection of modules A132,A134, A136, A138, A139, A141, and A143, respectively. The modules A132,A134, A136, A138, A139, A141, and A143 are exited by pressing the "done"key.

If the decision maker decides to revise the headings, then he chooseswhich ones to revise as shown at Page A7 of the Appendix. Once therevision choices are made, the list is placed in the auxiliary windowand the opener option level is entered. The decision maker has optionsat the revise opener level as illustrated in FIG. 12. A menu A140 andPage A8 of the Appendix allows the decision maker to either (1) addopeners, (2) move openers, (3) revise openers, or (4) delete openers.The selection is made by moving the display pointer to the selectedoption and then by pressing the "yes" key. The selection of one of theoptions transfers control from the menu portion of the program to eitherthe add openers module 142, the move openers module 144, the reviseopeners module 146, or the delete openers module 148. The modules areexited by pressing the "done" key.

The addition of openers is the same process as that indicated before andretains the previous openers for the heading being worked on. After thenew openers have been chosen, closers for the openers will be selecteduntil the process is completed.

The choice of "revise" the opener's content transfers control of theprogram to a selection of the openers previously selected for aparticular heading. This list for a heading of "Flexible water stop" isillustrated at Page A9 of the Appendix. After the openers have beenselected, the program transfers control to a revise closer level. At therevise closers level, as illustrated in FIG. 13 and Page A10 of theAppendix , the decision maker has the option via menu A150 to either (1)add closers, (2) move closers, or (3) delete closers. The selection ofan option is by the operation of the display pointer and the "yes" key.The program modules A152, A154, and A156 perform the necessary operationfor the task selected. Exiting of each module is accomplished by thepressing of the "done" key. The add closers function is similar to the"add" function for the higher levels of the decision process.

While a preferred embodiment of the invention has been illustrated, itwill be obvious to those skilled in the art that various modificationsand changes may be made thereto without departing from the spirit andscope of the invention as defined in the appended claims. ##STR1##

What is claimed is:
 1. An expert information system for relating choicesof a decision record to corresponding information said systemcomprising: a digital processor;an expert data base comprising amultiplicity of decision entries associated with the choices to be madein generating a decision record; memory means for storing said expertdata base which are accessible by said digital processor; said processorincluding a control program for interactively selecting a group ofdecision entries from said expert data base to generate the decisionrecord; memory means for storing at least one relational data basehaving a multiplicity of relational data entries where each relationaldata entry corresponds to at least one of said decision entries; andmeans which can access said means for storing at least one ralationaldata base and which can access said decision record, for assembling aninformation record from said relational data base including relationaldata base entries corresponding to said decision entries chosen for saiddecision record.
 2. A computerized system for preparing a decisionrecord comprising:memory means for storing a decision data base havinggroups of multiple decision entries linked to identifiers forming stopdown chain of option levels; digital processor means including a controlprogram and a keyboard by which an operator can indicate a selection ofsaid decision entries; a monitor; means for displaying a portion of saiddecision data base on said monitor; means for selecting from thedisplayed portion of said data base a selected decision entry; and meansfor storing said selected decision entry from said data base into adecision file.
 3. A computerized system as set forth in claim 2wherein:said control program generates control signals to cause saidmonitor display to be divided into a plurality of windows.
 4. Acomputerized system as set forth in claim 3 wherein:said displayedportion of the decision data base is displaced in one of said windows;and said selected decision entries from said decision file are displayedin another of said windows.
 5. A computerized system as set forth inclaim 4 wherein:said control program generates control signals for saiddisplay to provide option lists of said identifiers in order to rapidlyselect a desired group of decision entries.
 6. A computerized system asset forth in claim 4 wherein:a plurality of first options are chosen fora selected decision entry at a particular option level before any ofsaid first options are fully specified; and said plurality of firstoptions are displayed in a third one of said windows.
 7. A computerizedsystem as set forth in claim 6 wherein:a plurality of second options arechosen for a selected first option before any of said second options arefully specified; and said plurality of second options are displayed in afourth one of said windows.
 8. A computerized system as set forth inclaim 7 wherein:said control program displays in said one window thatportion of the expert data base which completes the specification of oneof said second options.
 9. A computerized system as set forth in claim 8wherein:said control program provides for the complete specification ofone second option by selecting information units of a first optionbefore deleting said specified second option from the list of the fourthwindow; and said control program continuing to specify said secondoptions until the list of the fourth window is completed.
 10. Acomputerized system as set forth in claim 9 wherein:said control programdeletes one of said first options when its list of second options havebeen completely specified, and displays a list of second options in saidfourth window for another first option on the list in said third window.11. An apparatus for automating a decision making process for a decisionmaker and for recording decisions made from that process by formulatinga decision record, said apparatus comprising:a processor systemincluding storage means which store a control program, said processorsystem for executing said control program and generating control signalsas a result of the execution; an expert data base comprising a pluralityof entries of information units arranged in option levels describing thevarious choices available for the decision maker in a particular subjectarea until a decision is reached, said option levels ranging from abroad description of the category of a choice at the highest level,through various intermediate options levels and finishing with acomplete specification of a decision at the lowest level; a displaymeans for displaying said information units of the expert data baseaccording to said option levels; an input means for communicatingcommands, including selection commands, indication the selection of oneinformation unit to said processor system for the decision maker; andwherein said processor system in response to each of said selectioncommands formulates said decision record by copying the selected oneinformation unit from said data base to said decision record.
 12. Anapparatus for automating a decision making process as defined in claim11 wherein:said selected information units are displayed on said displaymeans concurrently with the information units of the expert data base.13. An apparatus for automating a decision making process as defined inclaim 12 wherein said storage means of said processor system includes:arandom access memory (RAM), a read only memory (ROM) means for storingsaid expert data base; and said processor system loading a portion ofsaid expert data base into said RAM in response to the selection of apredetermined one of said option levels.
 14. An apparatus for automatinga decision making process as defined in claim 13 wherein said ROM meanscomprises:a compact optical disc for storing said expert data base; andan optical disc reader means under control of said processor systemadapted to transfer data stored on said compact disc into said RAM. 15.An apparatus for automating a decision making process as defined inclaim 14 further including:an auxiliary storage means for storing videoframes of data, each of said video frames corresponding to at least oneof said information units; an auxiliary display means for displayingsaid video frames, and said processor system controlling said auxiliarydisplay means to display a selected video frame of said auxiliarystorage means in response to commands from the decision maker, saidselected video frame being the video frame corresponding to aninformation unit which the decision maker is about to select.
 16. Anapparatus for automating a decision making process as defined in claim15 wherein said auxiliary storage means includes:an optical disc whichstores said video frames; an optical disc player adapted to read saidvideo frames from said optical disc and cause their display on saidauxiliary display means; and said optical disc player being controlledby said processor system to select the video frame displayed based uponthe information unit selected on said display means.
 17. An apparatusfor automating a decision making process as defined in claim 16 whereinthe information stored on each video frame is based on the type ofinformation unit to which it corresponds.
 18. An apparatus forautomating a decision making process as defined in claim 17 wherein:saidinformational unit is a company name; and said corresponding video framedepicts an image of the salient features of that company.
 19. Anapparatus for automating a decision making process as defined in claim17 wherein:said information unit is the name of a product; and saidcorresponding video frame depicts an image of the salient features ofsaid product, or a message indicating no such image is available.
 20. Anapparatus for automating a decision making process as defined in claim17 wherein:said information unit is the name of a reference standard;and said corresponding video frame depicts an image of the salientfeatures of said reference standard, or a message indicating no suchimage is available.
 21. An apparatus for automating a decision makingprocess as defined in claim 17 which further comprises:means forgenerating an access record indicating which particular video frameshave been displayed on said auxiliary display during the formulation ofsaid decision record; and means for appending said access record on thesaid decision record.
 22. An apparatus for automating a decision makingprocess as defined in claim 11 wherein:said data base includescombinations of information units making a complete and logicaldescription of a higher level information unit; said combination ofinformation units is displayed as a separate selection on said displaymeans; and said processor system in response to the selection of saidcombination of information units transfers the combination to saiddecision record.
 23. An apparatus for automating a decision makingprocess as defined in claim 22 wherein:said combination of informationunits is displayed on said display means prior to the transfer to saiddecision record; and said processor means includes optional units ofinformation in said combination of information units in response to aselection of the decision maker.
 24. An apparatus for automating adecision making process as defined in claim 22 wherein:said combinationof information units comprises a logical and complete technicaldescription of a manufactured product.
 25. An apparatus for automating adecision making process as defined in claim 11 wherein:said decisionrecord is an architectural specification; said decision maker is anarchitect; and said information units describe the materials used andconstruction techniques specified in constructing a project.
 26. Anapparatus for automating a decision making process as defined in claim11 wherein:each information unit has associated with it a unique tagwhich identifies the data comprising the information unit.
 27. Anapparatus for automating a decision making process as defined in claim26 wherein:said decision record comprises a plurality of tags from theinformation selected.
 28. An apparatus for automating a decision makingprocess as defined in claim 26 wherein:each information unit hasassociated with it another identifier indicating what option level theinformation unit corresponds to.
 29. An apparatus for automating adecision making process as defined in claim 11 further including:acentral processor system for selecting information units from at leastone relational data base to be assembled into an information recordbased upon the decision record; and means for communicating saiddecision record from said processor system to said central processorsystem.
 30. An apparatus for automating a decision making process asdefined in claim 29 wherein:said communication means includes a modembidirectionally communicating with said processor system and a telephoneline; and another modem bidirectionally communicating with said centralprocessor system and said telephone line.
 31. An apparatus forautomating a decision making process as defined in claim 29 wherein:eachinformation unit of said expert data base has associated with it aunique tag which identifies the data comprising the information unit.32. An apparatus for automating a decision making process as defined inclaim 31 wherein:each of said relational data bases have informationunits with tags corresponding to at least one information unit of saidexpert data base.
 33. An apparatus for automating a decision makingprocess as defined in claim 32 wherein:said central processor assemblessaid information record by matching the tags of the information units ofsaid decision record with those of a particular relational data base,and by assembling all information units of the relational data basecorresponding to those tags of the decision record.
 34. An apparatus forautomating a decision making process as defined in claim 33 wherein:saiddecision record comprises a plurality of tags from the information unitsselected from said expert data base; and said plurality of tags arecommunicated to said central processor system.
 35. An apparatus forautomating a decision making process as defined in claim 29 furtherincluding:an auxiliary storage means for storing video frames of data,each of said video frames corresponding to at least one of saidinformation units; an auxiliary display means for displaying said videoframes, and said processor system controlling said auxiliary displaymeans to display a selected video frame of said auxiliary storage meansin response to commands from the decision maker, said selected videoframe being the video frame corresponding to an information unit whichthe decision maker is about to select.
 36. An apparatus for automating adecision making process as defined in claim 35 further comprising:meansfor generating an access record indicating which particular video frameshave been displayed on said auxiliary display during the formulation ofsaid decision record; and means for appending said access record on tosaid decision record.
 37. An apparatus for automating a decision makingprocess as defined in claim 36 wherein:said central processor systemselects said access record as information record.
 38. An apparatus forautomating a decision making process as defined in claim 11 wherein:saidprocessor system is a personal computer system; said input means is akeyboard of said personal computer system; and said display means is amonitor of said personal computer system.
 39. An apparatus forautomating a decision making process as defined in claim 38 wherein:saidcontrol program provides a moveable display pointer visible on saidmonitor for indicating one of said information units as a possiblechoice.
 40. An apparatus for automating a decision making process asdefined in claim 39 wherein:said selection of an information unit fromsaid expert data base is performed by generating commands from saidkeyboard to move the display pointer to an information unit and bygenerating another command from said keyboard indicating the selectionof the information unit pointed to by the decision maker.